Chinese architecture in the Netherlands

Is De Chinese Pagode alone in its Chinese design in the Netherlands? Knowing that the Netherlands still has over one thousand Chinese-Indonesian restaurants, the Chinese style design can be found in many Dutch villages.See Mark van Wonderen, Chin. Ind. Spec. Rest.: Een verdwijnend NL fenomeen, 19. However, the building in Julianadorp stands out due to its size and full-on Chinese look.

Nevertheless, similarly magnificent buildings can be found throughout the Netherlands. Take for instance the current Van Der Valk Hotel in Breukelen. This hotel was originally built by Dave Wong in the 1980s as a high class hotel with Asian restaurants on the ground floor. The building was modelled after the Forbidden City, even highlighting similar “walking beasts” as mentioned previously. Unfortunately, Chinese elements of the magnificent building have since been removed, thereby “Dutchifying” the look of the building.See the hotel’s website for its history.

Similar buildings, such as the famous “Chinese boats” in Amsterdam and Rotterdam are also eye-catching landmarks in the Dutch cityscape. Another famous building in Amsterdam is a Buddhist Temple, which can be found in the heart of the city. In Haren, in the province of Groningen, there is even a Chinese style garden full of Chinese architecture.

Just like De Chinese Pagode, Chinese style architecture can be found throughout the Netherlands, far away from its place of origin. In doing so, the Chinese buildings give us a glance into Chinese culture in the Netherlands.